An Age2oon is the Age of Kings Heaven tradition where our community takes Age of Empires II screenshots, and then crafts those screenshots into humorous, cartoon-styled comics. If you'd like to submit an Age2oon of your own, post it in this thread and we'll get it up in our Age2oons Gallery as soon as possible! Remember, it must be under 250 KB, in either JPEG, PNG or GIF format. No bitmap files please; if you would like a free BMP converter, check out IrfanView. To take a screenshot, press CTRL-F12 during the game - use the "Print Screen" key if you have the Conquerors Expansion pack - and it takes a .bmp file of your screen and saves it to your Age of Empires II directory: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Age of Empires II\Screenshots

We're providing a transparent text balloon GIF that anybody is free to modify and use in their toon as a backdrop for the text! Right click on it and click "Save as" to save it onto your Desktop.

I don't mind, there was an hour to go in the deadline, so I thought, what the hell, why not cut-n-paste something from the CSC? I'm not interested in winning or even being accepted, I just thought I might as well submit an extra Age2oon. So don't worry, be happy.

"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that.I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe." - Frank Zappa

"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that.I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe." - Frank Zappa

What if someone doesn't know how to convert the damn image him/herself? Or what if there are time constraints? On the other hand, I'm certain that those running the contest can do it easily. Why the obsessive rule obedience? It's just a small-time image competition with few entries, and yet you're enforcing strict, unbendable rules, which are, as OWM stated, unnecessarily pedantic.

I was lazy in not meeting the requirements, I'm not actually worried about not qualifying. If it gets in, great, if not, it's still good because I can fix it and send it in later. It was entirely my fault for submitting in an incorrect format.

The rules aren't actually that strict, they're only a problem if you wait till the hour before the deadline to prepare your shot. If you don't know how to convert the picture, you can look up how.

Mine's the only entry that broke the rules, and I'm fine with it not being accepted. It's perfectly fair.

◓◓◓◓◓◓

NeverFinishedSquire

posted
10-24-08 08:41 PM
CT (US)
60 / 312

Gwame...there's no point arguing with the authorities without weapons...

What if someone doesn't know how to convert the damn image him/herself? Or what if there are time constraints? On the other hand, I'm certain that those running the contest can do it easily. Why the obsessive rule obedience? It's just a small-time image competition with few entries, and yet you're enforcing strict, unbendable rules, which are, as OWM stated, unnecessarily pedantic.

Gwame, you're starting to get on my nerves. We decided on these rules precisely so we don't have to waste any time doing things everyone who knows how a browser works can figure out in two minutes flat.

I'm not at your beck and call, you tool, and neither is the rest of the staff. Instead of bitching about every little rule, you could show some appreciation for all the hard work we put in voluntarily. But given your recent history with all things related to authority, I suppose that's too much to ask.

"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that.I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe." - Frank Zappa

I've just become enamoured with the PNG format. It supports transparency, dudes! Like GIF, but better quality!

Exactly. The only problem is that old versions of IE can't process the transparency of PNG images.

Gwame, you're starting to get on my nerves.

You say that as if it's some sort of big deal. Everyone gets on your nerves - your problem.

We decided on these rules precisely so we don't have to waste any time doing things everyone who knows how a browser works can figure out in two minutes flat.

Well of course, that's a given, but why disallow PNG images when GIFs are allowed? The difference in file size is relatively small, and that's mainly due to PNG's higher quality. The images themselves are quite small anyway, so the difference is insignificant.

I'm not at your beck and call, you tool, and neither is the rest of the staff. Instead of bitching about every little rule, you could show some appreciation for all the hard work we put in voluntarily. But given your recent history with all things related to authority, I suppose that's too much to ask.

Wow, someone's bitter. I never implied that anyone was at my beck and call. I don't know why you're making such a mountain out of molehill. Also, I wasn't bitching about "every little rule", nor am I "a tool", so sort yourself out and stop insulting people for questioning the reason behind a rule. And finally, what "history with all things related to authority"? You make it sound like you've been keeping tabs on me, and even so, I have no problem with the authority here. Nevertheless, if you enjoy being an angry dickhead, go right ahead.

Exactly. The only problem is that old versions of IE can't process the transparency of PNG images.

Oh who cares about the 'old' versions of 'IE'. This is now and that was then, quit living in the past!

Well of course, that's a given, but why disallow PNG images when GIFs are allowed? The difference in file size is relatively small, and that's mainly due to PNG's higher quality. The images themselves are quite small anyway, so the difference is insignificant.

The way I see it, if it doesn't exceed the max file size and is viewable in realistic measures (IE and Firefox compatible and so on), there should be no strict rules to the format. Ofcourse, if multiple file formats exist that just won't work in certain browsers that people are reasonably expected to use, I understand if the formats are narrowed down? I don't know if this is the case and I understand that for clarity these rules were all cool and it ain't much to ask from people to have the images in GIF or JPG, for goodness' sake, but maybe next time less rigid rules? Maybe? There's this thing called 'discussing matters', you know. That doesn't imply matters that discuss, but rather people who discuss matters like what file formats to use.

@Luke: You are overreacting here. Just because Gwame has complained, does not mean he doesn't appreciate your hard work.

@Gwame:

Nevertheless, if you enjoy being an angry dickhead, go right ahead.

This will only inspire more anger...

There's this thing called 'discussing matters', you know.

Exactly. Quit attacking each other and discuss this issue like human beings.

--->n i

/*~-._.-~*~-._.-~*NeverFi____shed*~-._.-~*~-._.-~*\

...the ESTEEMED, BEAUTIFUL AND SEXY...NF~Aro

Luke GevaertsSquire

posted
10-25-08 04:39 PM
CT (US)
69 / 312

[...] so sort yourself out and stop insulting people for questioning the reason behind a rule

You question, I answer. I can't help it that it's not the answer you want to hear. Regardless, we're not going to cave in to your incessant bitching.

You say that as if it's some sort of big deal. Everyone gets on your nerves - your problem.

Not everyone - right now, it's just you. And it's not just my nerves, either. But feel free to keep doing what you're doing; you'll only accomplish that it'll become your problem instead.

@Luke: You are overreacting here. Just because Gwame has complained, does not mean he doesn't appreciate your hard work.

If you think this is overreacting, you've clearly never seen me get really pissed before.

I don't know if this is the case and I understand that for clarity these rules were all cool and it ain't much to ask from people to have the images in GIF or JPG, for goodness' sake, but maybe next time less rigid rules? Maybe?

Duly noted.

Next time around, can we please discuss problems that are actually problems, instead of minor gripes that affect 0,2% of our community at best? Pretty please, with sugar on top?

"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that.I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe." - Frank Zappa

No problem Jim-my-man. Feel free to resubmit it under the file size rules as an Age2oon, and we could put it up in the Gallery. It's a great toon.

I know it's a bit late, but why this unnecessarily pedantic rule?

We're using some of the old Age2oon rules, actually; I overlooked PNG as one of the major file formats these days. When used properly (PNG-8), PNG can definitely save a bit of space. We aren't going to make an exception to any PNG images submitted during the contest, as the rule wasn't brought to our attention until after the contest was over; but I'll make sure to include PNG as one of the formats we accept for any future Age2oons.

You shouldn't disallow a good entry because of something as simple as file format or size. I'm sure you know how to convert image formats.

Jimmy's entry broke our file size requirement. He understands that it violated the rules, and he's cool with it, which I appreciate very much. We definitely aren't going to convert the images ourselves; extra work? No thanks. As for file size, we do that for Gallery accessibility; it's easier for viewers to load smaller toons. And even though dial-up users are a rarity these days, I do it for them too. I personally use dial-up and loading giant images, much less uploading them to the server, is very annoying.

We didn't decide on these rules only to break them the moment someone can't be bothered to convert the damn image him- or herself. End of story.

Absolutely correct.

What if someone doesn't know how to convert the damn image him/herself? ... I'm certain that those running the contest can do it easily.

What an awful assumption. We shouldn't have to do extra work for those who submit an image incorrectly. We have those rules in place so we'll have to do less work, as Luke stated; we have a site to run and rules make it easier for us to operate. We offer a BMP converter in the main post, so if one cannot convert the images themselves, they should ask how or not participate in posting an Age2oon. The crazy thing about your first question is that *anybody* who can turn an AoK image into a PNG can convert an image to a different format; after all, how did it get turned into a PNG?

I don't know why you're making such a mountain out of molehill.

*You* appear to be doing that Gwame, and your confrontational attitude is really testing my patience. Everybody else has accepted these rules, and praises to OWM for presenting an idea (us accepting PNG) in a very productive style, one that *doesn't* involve baiting our staff members and playing a victim. You have your answer for why the rules are in place, so drop it now; this is an Age2oon thread. If you have more to say, feel free to open a thread in Website Feedback if you like; I'll be happy to reiterate any part of our reasoning that you don't understand.